My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

could even offer some

cake is so

she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut

Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should we

that, the head of the group, which happened to be a

must sing the

must close her eyes and

must blow out the

to indicate to Julian that there was

and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not

to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at

gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to

you!”

faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community

the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time

be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right

anyway, so I might as well pretend it never

and told her, “Go on upstairs, then.

turned and headed toward

was inside her apartment and about to close the

propped

up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar

on

the house and shut the

see you’ve been

two steps

toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it

as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me

her, forcing her back inch by

Rachel had no idea what

caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him